Event Title

Assessing The Effects Of Both Contemporary And Historical Shellfish Aquaculture On Marine Biodiversity

Presentation Abstract

Shellfish aquaculture has played a key role in coastal ecosystems for the past 10,000 years and is currently increasing annually at a rate of 8%, making it one of the fastest growing food industries globally. Historically, First Nations clam gardens were constructed during the late Holocene by building rock walls in the low intertidal, which added structural complexity, stabilized sediments and enhanced shellfish productivity. Currently, shellfish aquaculture is associated with similar environmental modifications and plays a key role in meeting the global need for seafood, while alleviating pressure on declining wild populations. The extent to which these aquacultural practices impact marine ecosystems remains unknown but is a critical issue for mitigating potential environmental impacts, ensuring sustainable food security and habitat protection. In an attempt to determine the effects shellfish aquaculture has on marine biodiversity, we evaluated 12 current and historical shellfish aquaculture sites and 12 control sites within three distinct regions (Baynes Sound, Quadra Island, and Calvert Island) along British Columbia’s coast. Initial findings suggest that species diversity and abundance varies locally, regionally and in relation to aquacultural practice. Biodiversity, species abundance and non-native species abundance increased pole wards, while species diversity and species abundance were strongly correlated. These findings further our understanding of how shoreline modifications affect marine biodiversity and community structure. As this project is one of the first large-scale assessments comparing current and historical shellfish aquaculture, our findings will lead to further insight into First Nations cultural practices, ecosystem management, and the long-term implications of shellfish aquaculture.

Session Title

General Food and Food Security Topics

Keywords

Key words: Biodiversity, Aquaculture, Shellfish, First Nations, Clam Garden, Coastal Ecology, Marine ecology, Sustainability, Environmental impact

Conference Track

Food and Food Security

Conference Name

Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2016 : Vancouver, B.C.)

Document Type

Event

Start Date

2016 12:00 AM

End Date

2016 12:00 AM

Location

2016SSEC

Type of Presentation

Oral

Genre/Form

conference proceedings; presentations (communicative events)

Contributing Repository

Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.

Subjects – Topical (LCSH)

Shellfish culture--Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Aquaculture--Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Indians of North America--Food--Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Environmental management--Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.)

Geographic Coverage

Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.)

Comments

Key words: Biodiversity, Aquaculture, Shellfish, First Nations, Clam Garden, Coastal Ecology, Marine ecology, Sustainability, Environmental impact

Rights

This resource is displayed for educational purposes only and may be subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. For more information about rights or obtaining copies of this resource, please contact University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103, USA (360-650-7534; heritage.resources@wwu.edu) and refer to the collection name and identifier. Any materials cited must be attributed to the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference Records, University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.

Type

Text

Language

English

Format

application/pdf

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Jan 1st, 12:00 AM Jan 1st, 12:00 AM

Assessing The Effects Of Both Contemporary And Historical Shellfish Aquaculture On Marine Biodiversity

2016SSEC

Shellfish aquaculture has played a key role in coastal ecosystems for the past 10,000 years and is currently increasing annually at a rate of 8%, making it one of the fastest growing food industries globally. Historically, First Nations clam gardens were constructed during the late Holocene by building rock walls in the low intertidal, which added structural complexity, stabilized sediments and enhanced shellfish productivity. Currently, shellfish aquaculture is associated with similar environmental modifications and plays a key role in meeting the global need for seafood, while alleviating pressure on declining wild populations. The extent to which these aquacultural practices impact marine ecosystems remains unknown but is a critical issue for mitigating potential environmental impacts, ensuring sustainable food security and habitat protection. In an attempt to determine the effects shellfish aquaculture has on marine biodiversity, we evaluated 12 current and historical shellfish aquaculture sites and 12 control sites within three distinct regions (Baynes Sound, Quadra Island, and Calvert Island) along British Columbia’s coast. Initial findings suggest that species diversity and abundance varies locally, regionally and in relation to aquacultural practice. Biodiversity, species abundance and non-native species abundance increased pole wards, while species diversity and species abundance were strongly correlated. These findings further our understanding of how shoreline modifications affect marine biodiversity and community structure. As this project is one of the first large-scale assessments comparing current and historical shellfish aquaculture, our findings will lead to further insight into First Nations cultural practices, ecosystem management, and the long-term implications of shellfish aquaculture.